Make Your Own Lemon Cologne At Home

Lemon cologne is a light and refreshing scent that can be made at home. The process is simple and affordable, and the fragrance can be tailored to your preferences. To make lemon cologne, you will need a combination of essential oils, distilled water, vodka or alcohol, and, optionally, glycerin or castor oil. The ingredients are mixed and left to settle for several days or weeks, depending on the recipe. The final product can be stored in a dark glass bottle and applied to pulse points for a lasting aroma.

Lemon cologne ingredients

Lemon cologne is light and refreshing, and you can make it at home with a few simple ingredients. The ingredients you will need are a small lemon peel, a cup of vodka or alcohol, two tablespoons of distilled water, and four small tablespoons of castor oil.

Firstly, you must combine the lemon peel with the vodka or alcohol in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Place the jar in a cool, dry, and dark location and leave it to marinate for eight to ten days. After this period, strain the mixture and remove the lemon peel.

Next, add the distilled water and castor oil to the infused vodka or alcohol. Castor oil is a fixative that helps to prolong the aroma of your cologne. Stir the ingredients together, and test the fragrance. You can adjust the scent by adding more of any of the essential oils, one drop at a time, until you achieve your desired fragrance.

Finally, carefully pour your lemon cologne into a dark glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Shake the bottle and store it in a cool, dry, and dark location. Allow your cologne to settle for at least one week before using it.

Your homemade lemon cologne can last up to six months if stored properly. To apply, simply spritz or roll onto your pulse points, such as behind the ears, on the wrists, elbows, or neck, for a refreshing and invigorating scent.

Mixing the ingredients

To make a lemon cologne, you will need a combination of essential oils, alcohol, distilled water, and glycerin essential oil. The specific ingredients and their quantities are as follows:

• 2 cups of distilled water
• 3 tablespoons of vodka or alcohol
• 3 drops of lemongrass essential oil
• 10 drops of lavender essential oil
• 10 drops of lime essential oil
• 4 drops of glycerin essential oil

Start by combining the vodka or alcohol with the essential oils in a bottle. Shake the bottle well to ensure that the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. It is important to note that you should use a glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid for this step. Once combined, set the bottle aside in a cool, dry, and dark place for three weeks. This allows the mixture to marinate and the scents to blend and deepen.

After the initial standing time, you can add the distilled water to the bottle. Shake the bottle once a day and let it sit for another week. This process helps to further develop the fragrance and ensure that the scents are well-combined.

Finally, you can store your lemon cologne in a small dark-coloured glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. It is recommended to shake the bottle before each use. Your homemade lemon cologne can last up to six months if stored properly in a cool, dry, and dark location.

Storing the cologne

Once you've created your lemon cologne, it's important to store it correctly to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

Firstly, choose the right container. Dark glass bottles are ideal, as they will protect your cologne from light exposure. Make sure the bottle has a tight-fitting lid, to prevent leakage and minimise the cologne's exposure to air.

Next, consider the storage location. Keep your cologne in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. A cupboard or drawer is ideal. Avoid storing it in a humid environment, as this could cause the cologne to spoil.

Your cologne will also benefit from being stored in a dark place. Light can cause the fragrance to break down over time, so keeping it in a dark location will help to prolong its shelf life.

If you've made a large batch of cologne, you may want to consider decanting it into smaller bottles. This will reduce the amount of exposure to oxygen each time you open the bottle, helping your cologne to last longer.

Finally, allow your cologne to settle before using it. The recommended time varies, with some sources suggesting 48 hours, and others recommending up to six weeks. During this time, you can shake the bottle occasionally to help the ingredients combine.

Your homemade lemon cologne should last for up to six months if stored correctly.

How long to store it

The shelf life of your lemon cologne depends on several factors, including ingredients, storage conditions, and time of opening.

It is recommended that you store your lemon cologne in a cool, dry, dark location, preferably in a dark glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. The ideal temperature for storage is below 15 degrees Celsius or 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid exposing the cologne to direct heat, sunlight, or humidity, as this can alter the chemical makeup of the fragrance and cause it to degrade and go off sooner.

Once your lemon cologne is ready, it is best to use it within one to three years, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations. However, if stored properly, it may be safe to use for up to four or even five years.

To extend the shelf life of your lemon cologne, consider adding a fixative like glycerin essential oil, which will help the aroma last longer. Additionally, you can store your citrus-based cologne in the refrigerator to slow down oxidation.

It is important to note that the fragrance will eventually expire, and certain behaviours or storage conditions can accelerate this process. The oxidation of the fragrance can alter its molecules, affecting the overall scent.

To determine if your lemon cologne has expired, observe any changes in odor or colour. Expired perfumes may develop an off-odor, becoming sour, acidic, metallic, or plastic-like. Additionally, the liquid may turn a darker brown colour. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to discard the cologne.

Applying the cologne

Once your lemon cologne has been left to settle for a week or more, it's ready to be applied. The ideal places to apply cologne are the points on the body where the pulse is strongest. These include the insides of the wrists, the neck, behind the ears, and the insides of the elbows. You can also spritz the cologne into the air and walk through the mist to achieve a more subtle fragrance.

If you've used a roll-on perfume or perfume oil, you can apply the cologne to your pulse points directly from the rollerball. Alternatively, you can use your fingers to dab a small amount of the cologne behind your ears and on your neck and elbows.

For a longer-lasting fragrance, you can apply a small amount of petroleum jelly or unscented moisturiser to your pulse points before spraying the cologne. This will help the scent adhere to your skin and slow down the rate of evaporation. Reapply the cologne throughout the day as needed, especially after showering or exercising.

To make your lemon cologne last longer, store it in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a drawer or cabinet. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use, and be sure to shake the bottle before each application to ensure the ingredients are well mixed.

Frequently asked questions